News & Announcements

Sports

This week’s can’t miss events:
 
Track & field
Monday, Apr 24 host Las Lomas HS and Miramonte HS at 4pm.
Saturday, Apr 29 DAL Trials at Campolindo HS.
 
Boys golf
Monday, Apr 24 Transbay Invitational at Rossmoor GC.
Tuesday, Apr 25 Miramonte HS at Orinda CC at 3:30pm.
 
Softball
Monday, Apr 24 host St. Patrick’s HS at 4:30pm.
Tuesday, Apr 25 At San Leandro HS at 4:30pm.
Thursday, Apr 27 host Berean Christian HS at 4:30pm.
 
Baseball
Tuesday, Apr 25 Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4pm. Varsity is home and JV is away.
Thursday, Apr 27 Clayton Valley Charter HS at 4pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
 
Boys tennis
Tuesday, Apr 25 Northgate HS at 3:30pm. Varsity is away and JV is home.
Thursday, Apr 27 DAL Championships at Northgate HS.
Friday, Apr 28 and Saturday, April 29 DAL Championships at Acalanes HS.
 
Boys volleyball
Tuesday, Apr 25 host Las Lomas HS. Frosh at 4pm, JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
Thursday, Apr 27 at Northgate HS. JV at 5pm and Varsity at 6:30pm.
 
Girls lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 25 DAL Semifinals.
Friday, Apr 28 DAL Championships.
 
Boys lacrosse
Tuesday, Apr 25 DAL Semifinals.
Friday, Apr 28 DAL Championships.
 
Stunt
Tuesday, Apr 25 Alhambra HS at 6:30pm and Clayton Valley Charter HS at 7:30pm at Clayton Valley Charter HS.
 
Swimming
Thursday, Apr 27 DAL Trials at Campolindo HS.
Saturday, Apr 29 DAL Finals at Campolindo HS.
 
The spring sports schedules will be found on the AHS website by clicking here.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Randy Takahashi at rtakahashi@auhsdschools.org or Haley Walsh at hwalsh@auhsdschools.org.

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General Administration Announcements

Acalanes Alumni Forum – Over the past several years, our school community has engaged in a discussion regarding our school’s history and our mascot, “The Don.” This topic is vital to our community and sparks strong feelings and diverse perspectives. The student body originally selected the Don Mascot in 1941, and it is within the ASB constitution, determined by our students, that the mascot is named. Our ASB leaders want to create a dialogue with our current student body and alumni to understand the differing perspectives. Our goal is to come to a common understanding of our values and what our mascot stands for to be inclusive of our Acalanes community.
 
On Tuesday, Apr 25, at 6:00 pm, the Acalanes High School administration and Associate Student Body officers would like to invite our alumni to join in an open Zoom forum to share perspectives, personal experiences, and memories of what it means to be a Don. 
 
Please click here to register.
 
We look forward to seeing you and hearing you share what it means to be a Don!

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APC in Action

April Dons Dialogue – This Wednesday at 6pm!
Join us on Wednesday, Apr 19 for an evening Dons Dialogue in the Acalanes Library. 
This month’s topics include;

  • Student activities update
  • Mascot presentation with ASB Officers
  • Department Chairs, Barth & Schottland, discuss ChatGPT
  • End of year awards & celebrations update
  • Q&A with Principal Shawn

Please grab a friend and join us!

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APC Membership & Fundraising

Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy…
There’s no better way to honor a Don than with a customized 2023 Legacy Brick on our Dons Legacy Wall! Prominently displayed in the Main Quad, our Dons Legacy Wall provides families a lasting way to recognize their special student, teacher, coach, team, performance group, club, and more. Purchase your brick through the Acalanes Web Store for $250. Contact Legacy Brick Coordinator Leanne Zimmerman with any questions.

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Parent Education

The Final AUHSD Wellness Parent Ed Event for this School Year is Tuesday
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will present Keeping Your Child Safe on Social Media
When: Tuesday, Apr 18 from 6-7:30pm
Where: Zoom
RSVP: please register here if interested!
Please visit the AUHSD Parent Ed website for a full list of the Wellness Parent Ed events and valuable recordings from past events.

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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

A late shoutout to World Autism Awareness Day that took place on Apr 2! April is AutismAwareness Month honoring and recognizing our fellow community members on the autism spectrum, as well as their families.
 
Upcoming event recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day: Life is Beautiful Film Screening with Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan
This event takes place on Wednesday, Apr 19 at 6:30pm at the Orinda Theater. The Assemblymember is issuing a special invite to our young people and our school’s community to this event in order to foster a conversation for Holocaust Remembrance. Prior to the screening, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan will be talking about the work that is being done in California to respond to antisemitism and hate, as well as her work as a member of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education. For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

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Student Activities

On Wednesday Apr 19 during lunch in the library, there will be a Student Wellness Council discussing substance abuse and harm reduction. This is a very relevant topic in our community and we hope to see you there. Lunch will be provided!
 
The Diversity Board is hosting the annual Cultural Fair on Thursday, Apr 20 from 5-7pmin the big gym and all are invited! It is a great chance to celebrate various cultures and learn. Please consider stopping by!
 
The talent show is back this Thursday, Apr 20 at 7pm after a 4 year hiatus! This is a night NOT to be missed! It will take place in the PAC and will be hosted by seniors Jake Davis, Theo Stoll and Colin Norstad! Come watch your talented friends perform in this must see event!
 
Acalanes will host the Special Olympics this Friday, Apr 21. It is a wonderful event attended by schools throughout the county. Thank you to the 125 student volunteers for making the day happen at Acalanes!
 
Student survey feedback about the Don mascot & next steps: Students will be at the Dons Dialogue this week for an educational presentation on the history of Acalanes and our mascot, the Don. In addition, student leaders have gathered the survey data from students and put together a high level overview. Please take a look if you’re interested about how students feel about our current mascot.
 
Encourage your student to apply to be a new crew leader for the 2023-2024 school year. We are looking for 40-50 current sophomores and juniors to serve in this role, welcome the Class of 2027 and then work with them throughout their first year at Acalanes. You can find the application here and they are due on Wednesday, Apr 19.
 
Junior and Senior Prom Saturday, May 13 at SF City Hall! It is going to be a wonderful, fun evening with dinner, photos and various activities for students to enjoy. Tickets are on sale via the Acalanes webstore and prices are $95 for Acalanes juniors/seniors and $135 for outside guests or 9th or 10th graders. All students must turn in a filled out permissionform when getting a bus assignment. Bus assignments start Thursday, Apr 27. Questions? Email Katherine Walton.
 
Class Cup Kickball
Where? On the field during lunch!
When? Apr 24 – Apr 28
Who? All classes are welcome and encouraged to come!
Where do students sign up? Here
 
Looking to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram for the latest on student activities and class happenings.
 
Katherine Walton, Leadership Teacher

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College & Career

SENIORS 
 
Senior Exit Survey:  Important! If your student knows their post high school plan, please update Naviance. In order for final transcripts to be sent, students MUST go to “About Me” and “Surveys from Your School” and fill out “2023 Senior Exit Survey.” This is the only way transcripts are sent to colleges.
 
JUNIORS
 
Parent Naviance Training: The College and Career team will host a Naviance training session on Monday, Apr 24 from 6:30-7:30pm in the library to help parents learn how to navigate the college process with their students. Bring a laptop and your students’ password. Parents and students login into Naviance the same way using the students’ Acalanes email address and their district password. Instructions for how to login:
  • Go to Naviance.com
  • Click “Sign In” Students & Families
  • Enter zip code (94549) and “Go”
  • Click on “Acalanes High School”
  • Click on “studentNOT “parent”
  • Click on “Continue with Clever”
  • Enter “Acalanes High School”
  • “Login with Google”
  • Enter your student’s auhsd google email & password
1:1 appointments: If you’d like your child to start exploring career interests and begin looking at Naviance, please have them schedule an appointment here.
 
SOPHOMORES/FROSH
 
What is your Sophomore doing this summer?  This is the time to think about a meaningful summer experience- volunteer, work, community class or summer program. Please have your student stop by if they need help with summer ideas.
 
Interested in Marine Biology? – On Saturday, Apr 29 your student can learn about the terrestrial and aquatic animals that the Marine Mammal Center and Lindsay Wildlife Experience care for! They will have the opportunity to meet and learn about marine and terrestrial animals, watch and practice mock intubation, learn about wildlife, ecology and biology career paths, and more. Hopefully they will leave this event with an increased passion for all land and sea animals and use that passion to help advocate for the protection of our environment. For more information, click here.
 
Volunteer Ideas: Have your student come by the CCC so I can learn about their interests. Check out this website for ideas too! It’s best to set a search filter for teens.
 
Please visit our College & Career Counseling website any time for additional information and support.  
 
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Counseling

Counselor assignments are by last name:
A-Em Anne Schonauer  
En-Kr Christine Todd / Christina CastilloGallardo during Spring 2023
Ku-Rog Marissa Meadows 
Roh-Z Susan Martin
 
Summer School Information: The summer school website is up and running! Please use the link to get information about summer school offerings/dates. It will be at AHS this year! Please have your student see their counselor to sign up, get forms, and figure out which classes to take.
 
Geometry for Advancement: AUHSD does offer one course for advancement in summer – Geometry. This is an accelerated class designed for strong Algebra students (who have an A test average) to accelerate in math. Students may be placed in Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Advanced upon completion of this class. Please have your student see their counselor for more information. This class also requires a teacher recommendation.
 
Course Selection Changes: If your student wants to make any changes to their class requests for next year, please have them see their counselor to discuss. 

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